As a car enthusiast, you probably take great pride in your turbocharged engine. This is why you don't want to have any problems with it. Unfortunately, turbo problems can go undiagnosed if you don't know the warning signs of an impending malfunction. The following guide can help you with this.

Issue #1: Lag or slow acceleration

One of the earliest tell-tale signs is lag. Your turbocharger should be providing plenty of power so that your car accelerates quickly with no feeling of lagging or hesitation. If you hit the gas pedal and it feels as though the car is slow to gain speed or even hesitating and holding back, something is likely wrong with the turbocharge system. In severe cases, your car may slow to a crawl as your engine cylinders become oxygen starved and can no longer fire. Drivers sometimes mistake this for a transmission issue, but a mechanic can verify that it is the turbocharger.

Issue #2: Loud squeals

This problem often starts out as a subtle squeak when it first surfaces. You will hear it coming from the engine compartment each time the turbocharger is engaged, but you may overlook it. As the problem worsens, the squeal will grow louder, until it resembles that of a siren. As soon as you notice the noise, get your turbo system checked out. A squeal from the turbocharger always indicates that failure will occur soon, but prompt repair usually just means an inexpensive replacement of a damaged line or fitting on the system.

Issue #3: Oil problems

When a turbocharger begins to fail, it affects your exhaust system. You may begin burning oil, which can be recognized by engine smoke, oil odors, loss of engine oil, and discolored engine oil. You may even notice oil streaks on the engine or the turbocharger itself. Increased smoke from the exhaust or a failed emission test are other signs that your car is having oil problems. The cause can generally be traced back to a worn gasket or damage to an internal seal or piston within the turbocharger. Fortunately, these issues are generally a relatively quick fix, but if you put off a repair you may end up with total failure and need to replace the entire turbocharger.

For more help, talk to a mechanic that has experience with turbo systems. Even if you are sure of the problem, they will be able to perform a full inspection and find the cause of the issue. Companies like Cti Turbo can help.